Teachings available on our site written by
Lama Karma Thinley Rinpoche:

Jetsün Rigdzin Khandro

When I am happy, may my merit flow to others;
May its blessings fill the sky.
When I am unhappy, may the sorrows of all beings be mine;
May the ocean of suffering run dry.

-Lojong Verse

We live in an amazing, fast moving and fast
changing world. Great progress in science, medicine and technology
is raising our living standard to ever new heights. But alongside
this positive development, attachment to materialism also has grown
very strong. When we give in to this attachment we become rigid,
competitive and irritable. Even though we wish only to be happy
and loving, we can see in our own experience how quickly our mind,
when challenged, reacts with anger, jealousy and other negative
emotions.

To heal this situation, Lama
Karma Thinley Rinpoche teaches Lojong practice through which many
problems and much mental suffering disperse. When self-interest
is changed into concern for others, our main trouble-maker, clinging
to the self as a real thing (which is the root of all delusion,
conflict and suffering) dissolves, and the gate of the heart of
our buddha nature opens: bodhichitta encompasses all of space like
a great sun, and our wish-prayers, like the sun's rays, touch all
sentient beings effortlessly, limitlessly. The Mahayana teaching
says when complete realization of the union of compassion and shunyata
is achieved, then ordinary consciousness is gone, and duality and
emotional states, too, are gone; there is limitless freedom, peace
and wisdom, like the sun rising free from darkness and clouds. At
that time universal space and the palm of the hand are not different
in size: there is only Buddha Mind. And so, making Lojong practice
the basis of our conduct and practice, we can embrace the whole
world in compassion and love.

- Rigdzin Khandro

Bodhichitta is like the flower:
wherever it grows, it is beautiful;
whoever sees it wants to make a garland;
whoever touches it feels its gentleness and healing.
Bodhichitta is like the elephant:
very powerful, fearless and energetic.
Bodhichitta is like the lion:
his fearless demeanour subdues all animals.
Bodhichitta is like the sun:
unchanging, always shining,
creating beautiful things upon the earth.

- Lama Karma Thinley Rinpoche

Writings and Reflections of Sangha

This link will take you to a collection of thought-provoking stories and
essays contributed by members of our group.

Our Name

Marpa signifies the family name of the holy saint, Marpa the Translator, who brought the Vajrayana teachings from India and established them in Tibet.

Gompa literally means "tranquility place". Particularly, because Marpa Gompa is situated in the city, it is a place of tranquility: when people from the city come to practice at this place, they forget all external problems and just concentrate on meditation.

Marpa Gompa holds weekly meditation meetings
that include instruction in Shamatha (tranquility) meditation,
a spiritual discipline that helps one to deal with the pressures
of daily living. Newcomers, including beginners and non-Buddhists,
are always welcome. We ask that you call
before attending for the first time.

We also have advanced meditation meetings for
more experienced Buddhist practitioners. Please call
for more information.

Note: We cannot provide instructions
in meditation technique over the Internet. To learn meditation, we recommend you find a teacher
in your local area. The
Kagyu
centres directory may be of some help in locating one.

You are welcome to contact us for more information
about the Society and its activities. If you will be in the Calgary
area, you are welcome to contact us to arrange a visit.